ALL BLACKS’ WORST DISPLAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 440, 23 August 1928, Page 1

ALL BLACKS’ WORST DISPLAY

SIX-POINT WIN OVER WEAK TEAM McGREGOR AND HARVEY PLAY WELL NO SPARK IN THE NEW ZEALAND PLAY (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Special to Press Association.) Reed. 9.45 a.m. OUDTSHOORN, Wednesday. A POOR exhibition of Rugby was given by the All Blacks when they beat the South-Western Districts team by two tries and two penalties (12 points) to one try and one penalty (six points). There was an attendance of 3,000, and it was a beautiful day; but the ground consisted of parched grass.

Taken all through, the game was a sluggish one. Probably it was the worst display the New Zealanders have given on the trip. McGregor and Harvey, who had ! been out for so long, put up good performances. Nicholls, Strang, Carleton and Lucas played reasonably well. Rushbrook and Scrimshaw made occasional good breaks. Lindsay had his shoulder hurt in the first spell, and this plainly affected his play. Ward, Hadley, McWilliams and Snow were good in patches. There was no spark in the New Zealand play. At the same time, their opponents’ fight must not be disparaged, considering that they are regarded as the weakest team in the Union. The South Westerners started off with a rush, and carried the ball to the New Zealand line, where by great defensive work Carleton saved a likely try. The first time the All Black backs opened out Rushbrook beat his man and put in a fine run down the side, until he was tackled by the fullback. Then the All Black forwards asserted themselves, and made things warm for their opponents, with repeated efforts to get across the line. New Zealand was heeling the ball frequently from the scrum at this stage. The backs and forwards were combining in telling passing movements. Prom a penalty to New Zealand, Lindsay goaled. New Zealand 3 South Western Districts _ 0 The New Zealand backs continued to get the most of the ball, but the South-Westerners moved quickly and smashed the attacks. Through a elever opening by McGregor, the New Zealanders went away in a pretty movement which ended on the goal-line with an obstruction by a local man, for which a penalty was given. Nicholls kicked a goal. New Zealand 6 South-Western Districts 0 . There were only fragments of football from then on'till half-time. The All Blacks played eight backs in the second spell, Scrimshaw going out to the wing, and Lucas playing extra centre. 'Nicholls slanted off by making a fine opening, from which Stewart scored after seven New Zealanders had handled the ball. Strang’s kick missed. New Zealand .. 9 South-Western Districts _ 0 An attack by the South-Western forwards and a counter-drive by the New Zealanders followed. Then

came some fine work by Albertyn. which ended in Myburgh being pushed out near the 25 line. A penalty for lifting in the scrum was awarded!ho South-Westerners and Smuts kicked a good goal. New Zealand 9 South-Western Districts - 3 The local side began beating the All Blacks for the ball from the scrums, and a great rally by its forwards carried play to the All Blacks’ line, where they were forced twice in succession. The New Zealanders then got to work and threw the ball about in a care-free movement which saw Lucas tackled within a yard of the line. A spell of distractingly poor football followed, but McGregor produced a gem when he cut in, dummied and side-stepped through. Only sound tackling saved a score on this occasion. Strang next sent the backs away. The ball went to McGregor, Nicholls and Lucas. The latter missed the pass, but Scrimshaw picked up and more passing by Nicholls. Strang and McGregor sent the last-named over for a fine try. Lindsay missed the kick. Within a minute of the final whistle, Badenhorst scored for the South-Westerners in the corner from a loose rush. Final New Zealand 12 South-Western Districts _ 6 NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY McGREGOR STRIKES FORM CHANCE FOR TEST TEAM It is very apparent that yesterday's match has not been taken very seriously by the All Blacks. Certainly those players likely to be used in the fourth test would not be unduly exerting themselves. The most pleasing feature of a drab game has been the reported success of McGregor and lan Harvey. After their enforced spell both these players would be fresh and full of vim. Both would also be trying to catch the attention of the selection committee in view of the last test to be played on Saturday week. McGregor apparently played a _good attacking game. The Canterbury man plays a very heady game at fiveeighth, and if he recovers his form he will stand a good chance of appearing in the final test. Harvey also is apparently attempting to play himself into the test team, but this will denend largely upon his physical condition. Only absolutely fit men will be needed in the final struggle.